November 05 2025 -- The Government of Canada is committing $334.3 million over five years to strengthen the Canadian quantum ecosystem and anchor the national quantum industry, outlined in the 2025 budget.

This would be a tremendous reinforcement to the country’s global position at the forefront of quantum science and technology advancement and acceleration of Canadian research, talent development and industrialization.

Additionally, the government committed close to $2 billion to recruit international researchers and scientists, including support through granting councils and research chairs. Further, it earmarked significant funding toward cybersecurity defence measures.

This year marks 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. The field is already in its second revolution and IQC is the anchor of the Waterloo quantum ecosystem and a Canadian leader in quantum research, commercialization and training.

IQC's faculty members’ research groups investigate core areas of quantum communication, computing and sensing, supported by materials and devices—directly impacting updates to Canada’s national defence infrastructure and cyber security capabilities through scientific breakthroughs and productization.

Since its founding in 2002, experimental research has been transformed into industry-ready products, theoretical breakthroughs are commercialized, and the quantum workforce is trained.

IQC's faculty, post-docs, and graduate students are also productive entrepreneurs. They have launched 25 startups, through which 650 people have been employed in the Waterloo area. This number has increased approximately 10 per cent every two years since 2021, marking a significant economic contribution in Waterloo and Ontario. Today, 45 per cent of IQC research leads are involved in commercialization.

Over the past 15 years, IQC has trained more than 3,500 people in quantum information and technology through their collaborative graduate programs in Quantum Information and their scientific programs for undergraduate and high school students, and teachers, providing hands-on experience by working alongside their members on cutting-edge theoretical and experimental quantum research.

“Through the robust theoretical and experimental work of our members, IQC is scaling talent development and advancing transformational quantum technologies today. Continued financial commitment and support from federal and provincial governments and collaboration with our national partners and stakeholders globally further advances Canada’s reputation and contributions on the global stage, ensuring that the country’s quantum discoveries and talent remain at the forefront,” Stables says.

The budget announcement follows a reaffirmation this summer of Canada’s commitment to advancing quantum technologies. Prime Minister Carney and other leaders of the G7 nations issued the Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies, outlining a shared strategy to accelerate quantum innovation through international collaboration, secure ecosystems, and future-ready skills. A G7 Joint Working Group on Quantum Technologies was established, bringing together industry and academia to drive progress.